Morning News Briefing

Council hears request for military grade vehicle and approves additional cameras for Police.
City Police made their case for funding added surveillance cameras and applying for a military grade surplus vehicle.
Council approved $28,000 dollars in funding for the added cameras.
Council President Eugene Jankowski…

The other proposal put forth by police was a request to apply for a decommissioned Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle or M-RAP.
Council appeared to be open to the idea.
Police Chief Shawn Heubusch addressed concerns over the optics of the military grade vehicle…

Heubusch said another benefit of the M-RAP is that it doubles as a high water rescue vehicle when other more expensive options don’t.
The vehicle would need around $15,000 of upgrades half of which the Sheriff’s Office has offered to pay for.

The aging and ill-fitted City Police Station also come up in conversation at the latest city council meeting.
According to the city’s consultant on the issue there are options to fix the current facility or to build one brand new.
Former Police Lieutenant Eugene Jankowski…

Chief Heubusch said a new facility would meet all their requirements with less uncertainty over future maintenance.
The estimated cost for a new building is close to $10 million.
For more on the story check the article by our news partner The Batavian.

Batavia woman found with drugs after getting pinched for shoplifting.
31 year old Jeanna Hattaway of West Main Street Road was picked up by deputies following a shoplifting complaint at the Walmart in Batavia.
She was accused of stealing over 100 dollars’ worth of merchandise and officers allegedly found her in possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.
She was arrested and charged with Petit Larceny and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and was released with an appearance ticket for Town Court.

Gates police arrest the man they say murdered a woman.
Roger Wiggins was taken into custody at the Canadian border yesterday and officials believe he was trying to leave the country.
Wiggins is accused of stabbing Tracy Williams in a car before she ended up on Buffalo Road Monday.
Police aren’t saying whether she was pushed or fell from the vehicle. They’re calling the crime an act of domestic violence.

Paving work may pick up on Lehigh Ave today.
The city has scheduled paving operations on Lehigh Avenue in Batavia today and tomorrow and motorists will need to find an alternate route.
The work is weather dependent.